Search Results

KIRKLAND, DAVID NORMAN Age 66, of Placitas, NM, passed on while surrounded by his loving family on the afternoon of November 18th, 2014 in Albuquerque following an April 2014 diagnosis of aggressive stage four prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone. Born August 10, 1948 to Lonnie "Kirk" Kirkland and Barbara McKinney in his mother's hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, David, the second of four children, was an "army brat". Living a gypsy lifestyle, along with siblings Carole Sue, Kristie and John T., meant David knew how to adapt to life's changing demands. In his childhood, David lived in the USA as far Southeast as Georgia, North in Idaho and West in California. One of his biggest adventures was living three years in Orleans, France in two old and genuine, but cold, French chateaux. The experience in France was enormously enriching, broadening and developing his worldview before the family moved back "across the pond" to settle in Albuquerque, NM. Early in life David demonstrated his independence and ambition. At age 11, he was a door-to-door "Spudnut" donuts salesman, hawking his sugary wares from a basket slung about his neck. Later, he became a paper boy delivering the Albuquerque Journal by scooter (a motorized privilege he absolutely abused, and in fact boasted about to his children). David graduated from Manzano High School in 1966 and went on to pursue a Civil Engineering degree from New Mexico State University. A proud "Aggie-for-life" in the making, he continued to work odd jobs in order to pay for his tuition, eventually earning his degree in 1973. It was this undeniable work ethic which aided him in acquiring not only success in the business world, but the respect and love of many friends in all aspects of his life. In 1976, his younger sister Kristie decided it was time for David to meet his wife, and introduced him to Rita Sims. Two years later, David married Rita, the love of his life, in a grassy field in the Jemez Mountains. The couple remained married and very much in love until David's passing. Dave's engineering degree allowed him to work with natural gas companies in projects ranging from Utah, New Mexico, Missouri, and Colorado. If your home is heated by natural gas, you've likely benefitted from David's life's work. He loved mentoring young engineers and he also partnered in a private engineering consulting firm with his life-long friend, Jon Jones. Outside of work, Dave loved cooking and was both an avid skier and cyclist. As a younger man, he worked ski patrol in New Mexico and Utah. He clocked countless miles biking with The Samob Bicycling Group, his circle of friends who christened him with the moniker "Downhill Dave" due to his fearless love of racing down steep mountains. The only thing Dave loved more than classic 70s comedy, great bourbon, Grand Funk Railroad, and both Chicago and Delta blues, was his family he considered providing for them his life's proudest accomplishment. Dave is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rita Sims of Albuquerque, NM and his two children, Caitlin Kirkland of Austin, TX and Kevin Kirkland of Albuquerque. Additionally, he is survived by his siblings Carole Sue Roberts (Shannon), Kristie James (John), and John T. He also leaves behind his special in-laws Nancy Cooper, Judith Sims, Edward D. and Therese Sims, Linda Hill, Colleen Bultman, and Scott Sims. Also surviving David are numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, David preferred that you donate to the Limb Preservation Foundation (www.limbpreservation.org) in honor of his good friend Rick Allen. As services have already been held, it's probably best to grab a couple fingers of something sturdy, and throw on The Blues Brothers, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, or any number of classic Saturday Night Live sketches and laugh until your guts hurt. If you prefer music, try Buddy Guy, the Allman Brothers or, of course, Grand Funk Railroad.
        Published on: Sun November 30, 2014